A Bellevue couple was allegedly robbed and held at gunpoint not once, not twice, but three times by the same men, according to recently filed court documents.
Anthony Michael Young, 20, and Fernando Gastelum Jr., 19, are alleged to have robbed the couple and two others on Aug. 5 at an apartment in the 700 block of 147th Place NE. Young has also been charged with kidnapping and burglary for two subsequent incidents.
They reportedly met the couple through a neighbor at the Eastside Terrace Apartments. Young and Gastelum returned to the apartment on Aug. 5 with a silver revolver and robbed the four people inside, with Gastelum allegedly kicking one of the people in the face when he could not cooperate.
The pair stole money, a purse and a watch that had been a gift from the female victim’s father, despite her cries and pleas for them to let her keep it, according to the charging documents.
Around 5 a.m. on Aug. 19, the couple was reportedly awoken by Young standing over them holding a gun. After gathering items to steal, Young allegedly forced the female victim into a car and drove off. When asked where he was taking her, Young reportedly replied, “Wherever the f*** I want to take you.”
The victim was able to exit the moving vehicle, despite Young reportedly grabbing her by the hair to try and stop her. She received minor injuries during the escape.
After alerting police and seeking medical attention for the female victim’s injuries, police escorted the couple back to the apartment complex where a few hours later, Young and Gastelum broke in and attempted to retrieve a cell phone the female victim had grabbed during her escape. It is alleged the the couple’s neighbor was with the two men during the final incident, but he has not been charged with a crime at press time.
Both Young and Gastelum have a history of theft and violent behavior, according to court records.
There are several cases against Gastelum currently pending in King County Superior Court, including possession of a stolen firearm, possession of methamphetamine and taking a motor vehicle without permission. Gastelum was convicted of harassment and a hit-and-run last year, according to court records. He has also received several juvenile court convictions.
There was an active bench warrant for Young for possession of a stolen vehicle when the alleged robberies occurred. He received a juvenile felony conviction for robbery in 2014 and has received several other adult and juvenile court convictions.
“The facts of the defendant’s’s prior robbery conviction are unfortunately reminiscent of the present case,” prosecuting attorney Dan Satterberg states in the charging documents.
Bail has been set at $500,000 each.
